[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 28, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN HONOR OF 32-YEAR CAREER OF MORRIE TURNER

                                 ______


                         HON. RONALD V. DELLUMS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 28, 1996

  Mr. DELLUMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join the African American 
Advocate in celebration of Mr. Morrie Turner's dedication to art and 
education, and to chronicle his 32-year career as a prominent 
cartoonist and creator of the nationally syndicated cartoon strip ``Wee 
Pals.'' Morrie Turner is the first African-American to be a syndicated 
cartoonist and to publish a cartoon strip in a mainstream, metropolitan 
newspaper. He uses his skills and talents to educate children--and 
adults--about black history, community issues and services, health and 
safety.
  For four decades, Morrie has produced ``Wee Pals.'' The multiethnic 
cast of characters are reflections of his childhood neighborhood. He 
highlights the cultural and historical accomplishments of African-
Americans through ``Soul Corner.''
  Morrie Turner is a native and resident of Oakland--San Francisco Bay 
Area, CA, born on December 11, 1923, one of four brothers to James 
Edward and Nora C. Turner. He attended Cole Elementary and McClymonds 
High School in Oakland; and graduate from Berkely High School in 1942. 
In 1943, he was drafted into the U.S. Army.
  Morrie began to draw at an early age which provided him with joy and 
satisfaction. With the support of his family, wife Letha and son 
Morrie, Jr., he began to pursue a cartoon career. Though it was 
difficult to break into cartooning with black characters, Morrier's 
``Wee Pals'' was syndicated in 1964. He began to receive fan mail from 
across the country. Many of his fans did not know he was black. One 
letter asked, ``Do you really know some Black people?'' Morrie 
responded, ``Just my mother, father, wife, and son, for starters.''
  Morrie actively participates in the life of the community. In 1960, 
he was a delegate to the White House Conference on Children. In 1967, 
he entertained troops in Vietnam. He spends much of his time sharing 
with young people about cartooning and black history in schools across 
the country. He assists many nonprofit organizations and public 
agencies by producing books, T-shirts, and educational materials.
  On February 24, 1996, at the Oakland Museum, Morrie Turner was 
honored by the African American Advocate and the bay area community for 
his significant contributions in promoting harmony, understanding, and 
acceptance of cultural diversity. The vision that ``Wee Pals'' 
characters may be used in classrooms and on the streets to promote 
cultural understanding and to provide our youth with role models will 
ensure ``Wee Pals'' as Morrie Turner's legacy to our children and our 
children's children.

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